Why Manchester City Sold Liam Delap—and Why They May Regret It
This past summer, Manchester City made the surprising decision to sell Liam Delap, son of former Premier League star Rory Delap, to newly-promoted Ipswich Town. The deal reportedly involved a £15 million fee with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons.
While the official reasoning behind the move was never disclosed, Delap’s lack of consistent impact at senior level might have played a significant role. Despite a prolific youth career, where he scored an astounding 46 goals and provided 16 assists in 53 appearances for City’s U18 and U23 teams, the 21-year-old striker struggled to replicate that form during loan spells in the Championship.
A Tough Time in the Championship
During the 2023/24 season, Delap was on loan at Hull City, where he managed just eight goals and two assists in 31 matches—a solid but unspectacular return for a centre-forward. This came on the back of an even less impressive stint the season prior, with just four goals across 37 appearances for Preston North End and Stoke City combined.
For a player who once displayed “Haaland-esque potential”, as some scouts described, these numbers were underwhelming. This apparent inability to make the leap to senior football might explain why Pep Guardiola chose to sell him, even as City also offloaded Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid.
Delap’s Redemption at Ipswich
However, Delap’s form since moving to Ipswich suggests City may have miscalculated. The young striker has thrived in the Premier League, already scoring six goals in 11 matches despite playing for a struggling team with just one win so far this season.
His ruthlessness in front of goal has been striking. Against Spurs—City’s next opponents—Delap delivered a standout performance with a goal and an assist, showcasing the “powerful” finishing that talent scout Jacek Kulig believes will give him a “huge future” in the Premier League.
Numbers That Tell a Story
Comparisons to Erling Haaland this season make Delap’s performances even more intriguing. While Haaland’s xG (expected goals) suggests a wealth of chances, Delap has been clinical with far fewer opportunities, proving his efficiency in a team struggling to create consistent chances.
City’s Regret?
Reports from Caught Offside reveal that Manchester City, along with Arsenal and Newcastle, are now monitoring Delap, who is valued at £33 million by Ipswich. This suggests City might already regret letting go of a striker who could have been a long-term replacement for Haaland.
At just 21, Delap has plenty of time to refine his game and evolve into a top-tier forward. His incredible youth record at Manchester City hints at a natural knack for scoring goals, and his early success at Ipswich shows he can translate that talent to senior football.
As Delap continues to shine, Guardiola may look back and wonder if he sold the next great City striker too soon.
